The Hank Harmon Public Range in Juneau received a much-needed makeover this summer. Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game (ADF & G) gave the range almost a million dollars out of its Pittman-Robertson Hunter Access Grant, and the City of Juneau contributed about $100,000 as well. The federal government allocates money raised by federal sales tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
At the ribbon-shooting ceremony opening the renovated range on Sept 26 this year, Ryan Scott, the director of ADF & G’s Division of Wildlife Conservation, announced: “Everybody who buys firearms or ammunition or hunts, you made this happen.”
Renovations included repairs and updates to the range’s seating accommodations, parking lot, restrooms, and safety equipment. The City of Juneau’s Parks & Recreation/ Public Works served as the project lead. The City hired the engineering firm ProHNS LLC to complete permitting, design, and construction management and hired Juneau-based Island Contractors to do the groundwork.
Throughout America, 861 public ranges are supported by federal tax monies gathered from the shooting and hunting industry. Alaska’s Fish and Game funds three ranges in addition to Hank Harmon and operates three state ranges: the Rabbit Creek Shooting Park in Anchorage, Fairbanks Hunter Education Indoor Shooting Range, and Juneau Hunter Education Shooting Complex.
Many Alaskans have fun family memories from our state’s great ranges. Share yours in the comments below!
Natalie, a 2025 Hillsdale College graduate, recently joined the Must Read Alaska team.
Whatever happened to all of the fun guys here on MRAK? Jefferson has gone quiet, old Greg Forkner is long gone, Whidbey Thedog has apparently been put to sleep, and even CBMTech barely comments at all anymore. I guess the glory days of MRAK are over. It was fun to watch while it lasted.
Yeah, this is what passes for hard hitting reporting? Disappointing. Time for a different app. Bummer.